The Orchestra Personnel Management Intensive will introduce participants to the real-life opportunities and challenges that orchestra personnel managers face today and highlight the creative, adaptive, and community-oriented skills that they need to nurture and support their creative workforce and build artistic capacity. The course includes individual reflection and sharing with peer groups as well as open discussion and practical scenario exercises.

This program is geared to people new to and/or interested in advancing in a career in orchestra personnel management, especially orchestra personnel managers of smaller-budget orchestras and orchestra personnel staff of larger-budget orchestras, as well as to those more broadly interested in pursuing an orchestra administrative career that includes personnel management. Content will be customized based on the level of experience in the class.

Participants will be able to:

• Demonstrate basic knowledge of personnel management practices in orchestras
• Build strong relationships with and among musicians and staff teams
• Increase their understanding and awareness of critical issues of equity, diversity, and inclusion in the orchestra field
• Cultivate a network of peers, mentors, and resources for continued professional development

Covering key functions of personnel management at orchestras, including:

• Fundamental systems, processes and tools for musician rosters, hiring, payroll, rehearsal, and concert management
• Understanding relationships between musicians including orchestra leadership, conductors/music director, staff administration, and unions
• Conflict resolution and tools to have difficult conversations
• Building a diverse and inclusive culture and the legal foundations for doing so

This Intensive will be led by:

• Shana Bey, Director of Orchestra Management, Los Angeles Philharmonic
• Beth Paine, Director of Orchestra Personnel, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra

with additional guest faculty.

• Application fee: $65
• Program tuition: $1,500

Tuition covers 4 days of instruction and housing for 3 nights on the Indiana University campus. Residency on site is required. Each participant will be responsible for covering their own costs of travel and most meals. Full and partial scholarships based on financial need are available.

Participants are expected to commit to all 4 days of the program and attend all sessions and associated events. Partial attendance is not permitted.

We will have a Zoom welcome for introductions on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, from 3:00-4:00pm Eastern. The program will begin at IU with an opening reception on Monday, March 16 at 5:00pm and conclude on Thursday, March 19 at 11:30am.

Accommodation is provided in single-occupancy hotel rooms at the Biddle Hotel and Conference Center on the Indiana University campus. Check-in is on Monday afternoon, March 16; check-out on Thursday, March 19.

Post-Intensive, participants will remain engaged through:

• Digital learning library of presentations and resources for future reference
• Instant messaging through class WhatsApp group
• Informal mentoring with faculty and staff
• Virtual re-convenings at 3 and 6 months
• League Alumni Network activities online and in person
• Invitations to alumni receptions at the National Conference and other League gatherings

Note: Applicants will be notified by Thursday, December 18, 2025. If accepted, a non-refundable tuition deposit of $500 will be due immediately. The tuition balance will be due by Tuesday, February 24, 2026.

Application deadline: Tuesday, December 2, 2025

Up to 20 participants will be selected based on demonstrated experience, career potential, commitment to orchestra personnel management, and motivation and goals for participating in this professional development program. The League especially invites applicants from backgrounds that have been historically underrepresented in the orchestral field. All program applicants will receive a one-year professional membership to the League.

Applicants must complete an online application with following requirements:

Please upload the below materials with your application. Text documents should be in pdf format. Applications that exceed the stated page/word/duration limits will not be considered.

1. Personal Written Statement (answering the below three questions)
   • 500 words maximum
   • Question #1: Why do you want to work with and support professional musicians?
   • Question #2: Share a life experience or perspective that has affected who you are today and how it shapes your desired impact on the orchestral field.
   • Question #3: How does this program fit into your career goals?
2. Resume (2 pages maximum)
3. Biography (up to 250 words)
4. Financial Aid (optional)
   • Scholarship monies are available for need-based tuition awards. Please submit your 2024 tax return (if not available, your 2023 tax return is acceptable). All information will be kept confidential.
5. Pay the $65 application fee.

Only fully complete applications will be considered. All submitted materials become the confidential property of the League of American Orchestras and will not be returned. Applicants will be notified by Thursday, December 18, 2025. Please note that the application fee is non-refundable.

Shana Bey (she/her)
Director, Orchestra Management, Los Angeles Philharmonic Association

Shana Bey, a native of Houston, TX, is the Director, Orchestra Management with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association. Having played the violin since the age of 6, Bey has a Bachelor of Music degree in Violin Performance from Loyola University New Orleans and a Masters in Violin Performance from The University of Texas at Austin. Bey was a Second Violinist with the Austin Symphony for 10 years before moving into Orchestra Administration. Prior to joining the LA Phil, Bey served as the Assistant Orchestra Personnel Manager for the Houston Symphony for 4 years. She moved to Los Angeles as the Associate Director of Orchestra Personnel in 2018. In 2022, Bey was promoted to Director, Orchestra Management and now oversees both the LA Phil and Hollywood Bowl Orchestra for the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association. 

Beth Paine (she/her)
Director of Orchestra Personnel, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra

Beth Paine is the Director of Orchestra Personnel for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, a position she has held since 2018. With over two decades of experience in orchestra administration, she previously served as Director of Orchestra Personnel for the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra (2007–2017) and as Orchestra Personnel Manager for the Virginia Symphony (2005–2007). Her background also includes working with the Tanglewood Music Center of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and is an alumna of the League of American Orchestras’ Essentials of Orchestra Management program.

Beth holds deep roots in music as a bassoon performer. She earned a Bachelor of Music degree magna cum laude from Boston University, a Master of Music degree and Performer’s Certificate from the Indiana University School of Music, Bloomington, and a Graduate Diploma from the New England Conservatory. She was a Fellow at the Tanglewood Music Center and performed internationally at the Spoleto USA Festival and the Festival dei due Mondi in Italy.

Outside of her work, she enjoys cooking and baking, particularly crafting homemade pizza.